Brian Cowen on the ball in the Bronx

“I didn’t expect him (taoiseach) to come and speak with me so it was a surprise but a nice surprise. He is very nice,” said MacCourt still a little red-faced after her encounter.

As Cowen left the park, the children went back to their drills and football games. One young man ran with some friends and under his breath he could be heard saying, “I think that Irishman would be a good goalkeeper, but he’s too old to play with us.”